President Donald Trump received a briefing on potential military action against Iran from the top U.S. commander in the Middle East. The administration is weighing renewed strikes while also trying to revive negotiations with Tehran. The discussions do not establish that Trump has decided to resume major combat operations.
President Donald Trump received a briefing on potential military action against Iran on Thursday from Adm. Brad Cooper, who leads U.S. Central Command, the Wall Street Journal reported. Cooper's rare in-person White House visit comes as Washington weighs renewed strikes alongside efforts to revive negotiations with Tehran.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine joined Cooper for the meeting. Other cabinet officials also attended, and the discussions extended beyond Iran, according to the newspaper, which cited U.S. officials and people familiar with the gathering.
Trump has floated a repeat of the spring offensive
The consultations come as the administration considers its options after the U.S. and Israeli bombing campaign in the spring. Trump said at a rally last week that Washington could launch another operation resembling that offensive, which he called Operation Epic Fury, if Iran does not agree to a deal.
Military preparations and diplomatic outreach are proceeding in parallel. The Journal previously reported that the administration had urged Arab Gulf states to prepare for a brief but intense campaign after the November midterm elections. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance has engaged with a senior Iranian hard-liner in an effort to revive peace negotiations.
Cooper rarely briefs Trump in person
Thursday's meeting followed discussions between Vance and military leaders at the White House a day earlier. Cooper rarely briefs Trump in person, according to the Journal, which makes the meeting a potentially significant signal as the administration weighs its next move.
Source: Investing.com
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